PETE’S PICKS: Looking at Razorbacks’ matchup with Tennessee

I should not have asked him. I knew by the look on his face as soon as the question left my mouth, he had no longer been reading the words I put into these weekly pieces.

As far as I could tell, in years past, he may not have been my most staunch supporter, but he was at least giving my stuff a look from time-to-time. His enthusiasm for trivia and the answering of my weekly question would often come up as a brief topic when he and I spoke at ballgames. But this season, up to this point, there had been no talking on the matter.

The normal friendly banter, sure, but on my writing, pure silence. So, as mentioned, I knew immediately when I asked him his thoughts on the trivia questions this year, he had stopped glancing into my views on the football world. His expression and quietness told me an answer I did not want to hear.

Sometimes the things we want to hear the least are the things we need to hear the most. I can take it as unintentional criticism and use it for growth and as an indicator that if I want to keep doing this, I am going to have to get increasingly better. Message received. Thank you.

More importantly, do you know who else needs to get better?

Arkansas’s offense, especially the offensive line. The lost to Texas A&M in last week’s back-and-forth contest really exposed a lot of flaws in our blocking scheme. Hogs quarterback Taylen Green frequently had no time in the pocket, and for some reason, the coaches saw something which prompted a decision to cut back on the running game.

What that was, I do not know. Perhaps it was a scheme they thought they could explore in the passing game and exploit an Aggies’ weakness. Whatever it was failed purely because the offensive line was not maintaining their blocks.

This flaw could prove to be a gamechanger against a much more talented Tennessee Volunteer defense on Saturday. But let’s be honest, not too many people are expecting it to be much of a game when the No. 4 ranked Vols slide into Fayetteville, so blocking may be the least of our worries.

As far as any home field advantage for the Razorbacks may be concerned, there are two possibilities I can foresee.

One, since we’ve not had any solid games in Razorback Stadium, many fans may be excited for their first trip for an SEC opponent mixed with our close but winning record. Stuff the stadium on a Saturday night after a full day of tailgating — advantage Arkansas.

The other possibility is everyone may now have low expectations for the season, thus opting to spend their weekend night doing something else … anything else. Poor attendance on Saturday — advantage Volunteers.

Before you bail on going, you have to remember, some of Arkansas’s most raucous games in history have been against Tennessee in Fayetteville. I think it then goes without saying, if the Razorbacks (and our fans) want to have any advantage on the scoreboard, it will need to be a packed madhouse Saturday.

Unfortunately, regardless of the crowd attendance, I do not see a victory inside for our beloved Hogs.

Tennessee, 38 – 31

Random Thoughts

If you have not read Clay Henry’s  HitThatLine.com recent piece on his dogs, I strongly recommend taking a look. It is one of the best reads I’ve seen in a long time. I wonder if Clay reads my trivia questions?

TRIVIA QUESTION: Who had one of the most iconic play-by-play calls in Razorbacks’ history, when Clint Stoerner found Anthony Lucas in the endzone to put the Hogs up for good in 1998? 

Week 6 is way too late to be having the first home game against a quality opponent. 

TRIVIA ANSWER: Easy answer this week: Paul Eells. Why such a softball of a question? Tennessee week is nothing if not a tribute is made to the legendary Eells. 

I may not be the best, but I damn sure love our Razorbacks!

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 6:30 P.M. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

SEC Picks for Week 6

Andy Hodges did not like my “Andy Hodges Good Grief Game” tribute pick to him last week. He thought I was off the mark when I picked a talented South Alabama team to get whipped by LSU. A 42-10 win later, and perhaps I had a little more pep in my step than a normal Saturday night after a Hogs’ loss.

This week has a few good matchups, and no game comes across as a blowout this week, but there are a couple which have real potential. It is time to predict the SEC Week 6 games, so let’s get rolling.

GAME OF THE WEEK

(9) Missouri at (25) Texas A&M: The “GOTW” could be a yawnfest if one or both teams decide to not show up. If the Aggies want to build any momentum, they must keep this game close at home. If Missouri wants to stay towards the top in the playoff picture, they must win this game on the road. It does not need to be a huge margin, just a win, and that is what they will get. Tigers by 14.

(12) Ole Miss at South Carolina: This would be an awesome game to attend in person. It almost took “GOTW” honors. If this game were being held in Oxford, it would probably be a blowout for the Rebels. Since it is in Columbia, then it will be a good contest until early in the 4^th quarter. The Gamecocks are rising slowly, but Ole Miss has too much at stake to lose two weeks in a row. Rebels by 12.

Auburn at (5) Georgia: “Good Grief Game”: If Andy did not like my “AH GGG” tribute game to him last week, maybe he will like this one a little bit better (Editor’s Note: This one may be worse). This has the most potential to be a blowout, especially with the Bulldogs coming off a such a topsy-turvy loss to Alabama last weekend. Kirby Smart will probably have his Georgia team ran to death, but not enough to keep them from dominating the Tigers. Bulldogs by 34.

(1) Alabama at Vanderbilt: One could expect a let-down by the Crimson Tide this week after such an odd win over Georgia last weekend. They could possibly even overlook the ‘Dores in thoughts of hosting a surging South Carolina Gamecocks team. Unfortunately for Vandy, that will not happen. We predicted Sunday Bama would jump Texas in the rankings, and now they must solidify their hold on the No. 1 spot with a dominate victory, but they may try too hard, thus keeping the game closer than normal. Crimson Tide by 28.

(4) Tennessee at Arkansas: Both the team and the fans for the Hogs had better show up and show out for an upset to be made. Vols by 7.

UCF at Florida: Whether it takes place during the season or at the conclusion, a loss to UCF would be “the loss” that ultimately costs Billy Napier his job. That’s a sad thought, as Napier seems like such a nice guy. You also hate it for his staff… unless you live in Gainesville. They are ready to see him gone. UCF comes off an embarrassing loss to Colorado, and they need redemption. This one will be super close.  Knights by 4.

We can all get better at something.  Look for opportunities of growth and explore them. 

Here’s to a long weekend with Mountain Dew. 

Go HOGS!!!